In-Ch Lab

IN:CH had been given the task of developing a prototype home for poor families in Wayanad, Kerala.

The housing unit has a floor area requirement of 35m2 and a budget of Rs. 3 lakhs or 4500 USD. The building should have an incremental space of 10m2.

The demand for housing in the district of Wayanad alone is 68,000 units.

A place which I can call home.

In the 90’s I reached the city as a backpacker. Today Jaipur forms an important connection between us at IN:CH and the students through workshops. We study the eclectic mix between traditional and contemporary architecture as well as aspects of sustainability ingrained in the old city of Jaipur.

The trip to Varanasi and surrounding places provided for a deep spiritual introspection of sorts.

There is hardly another place on earth where one is confronted with the fundamental questions of life. In the organic old town of Varanasi one is overwhelmed by the sights and impressions. When one embarks on self-discovery, one embarks on a journey that involves questions about life and death. Varanasi is the city of Shiva, one of the three main Hindu deities. It, hence, embodies the concept of life & death and the male & female being.

I was awe-inspired to be in Sarnath and near the center where J. Krishnamurti lived. It was right here in Sarnath that Buddha’s charismatic journey began.

Reading the works of J. Krishnamurti, who spoke about removing borders, having peace, about violence, respect, responsibilities, relations, etc. gave me great insight. What I liked the most about him is the fact that he encouraged people to reflect and have their own opinions and thoughts. His sessions were very interactive in nature.

IN:CH had organized a customized summer school specifically for the institutions University of Applied Sciences Konstanz Germany and Cidade Sao Paulo Brazil.

The summer school was divided into two parts- one where students spent time gathering experiences during the study trip and the second part where they applied this knowledge in a hands-on workshop.
In Chandigarh, the buildings designed by Pierre Jeanneret, Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry were explored and the changes in the typologies which took place in an organic way over time were observed and analyzed.
In Jaipur, the sustainable practices and way of life of the people living within the forts were observed.
In Ahmedabad, the eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary cultural places was checked out.
By building a community space in Bangalore, a solution to connect the people who were separated by a flyover was found. It was built using local materials, mainly earth, together with residents, other individuals/ volunteers and local artisans.

Visiting the works of Pritzker Prize Winner, Eduardo Souto de Moura

Years ago, I was coincidentally invited to the weekend home, which architect and Pritzker Prize Winner, Eduardo Souto de Moura designed and built slowly over time with meticulous detailing and planning.
Eduardo Souto de Moura had been commissioned to build a weekend home. On the property stood a dilapidated house. Since the clients have strong ties with nature and literature, the concept of a terraced park integrated into the natural slope emerged. The site analysis, conceptualization, planning and realization took 9 years to complete. Since my visit, the typology, the atmosphere, the spaces created inside and the warmth of the family themselves remain embedded in my memories and its something that I will forever cherish.

As soon as you reach this place as a traveler, you forget about the onward journey you’re embarking on and the problems of everyday life. The monastery, rebuilt by Eduardo Souto de Moura, is a true island of peace.

The building, adjacent to the church, was once a monastery and is now an adaptive-reuse hotel. As soon as you enter the rooms, you forget your travel plans and all your daily worries. We felt content and in peace with the world for the entirety of the stay. Such is the beauty and serenity of the monastery.

Eduardo Souto de Moura has designed the place with special attention given to the details, material concept, and light guides so wonderfully that the entire composition blends in perfectly together.

IN:CH introduced the HTWG students about the summer school in August 2017. 12 students applied to come to India for a study trip and a workshop. Students from Brazil and India will join this summer school too and will learn about culture and professionalism in sustainable architecture and building constrictions.

One more lecture will be April 5th at HTWG department of architecture.

To see an exhibition one needs energy. To sit inside a pavilion an watch photos and people was the reason to create the furniture. The materialization and construction concept is the same we developed for the frames.

Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) is a very popular cultural center in Jaipur  designed by Charles Correa. The material concept for the temporary exhibition pavilion, located in the free entrance area, were frames made of simple chipboard. The photos were inserted on either sides and illuminated from the inside during the night. The placement of the frames in a geometric plan formed a pathway. A colourful and picturesque narrative was created using the series of portrait photos.

Some of the frames were left open and this encouraged the visitors to be spontaneous and get themselves photographed. This resulted in the audience drawing parallels to the works of photographer Flurina Rothenberger with the people from Ivory Coast. The photo exhibition was inaugurated by the Swiss ambassador Andreas Baum.

Mélanie Joder has won the Award for Sustainable Architecture 2010 from the Bern University of Applied Sciences Switzerland, Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering. Her Thesis Project focuses on service apartments in midtown Bangalore. The building is planned as a ramed earth construction.

20 January 2015 | Cottages Wayanad |The first phase of our eco tourism resort project in Wayanad for URAVU Eco links is completed and the first cottages are ready. We had our first guests and are welcoming more. Here are some images of this picturesque and quiet treasure in the Western Ghats in Kerala. Come and stay with us!

IN:CH 2012 is a trans-cultural studio for students to work and learn in a different culture and country and learn sustainability concepts. This year the studio started in Bern, Switzerland and is now in progress in India.